Being Too Busy - Are you focused on the Right Things?
As a business owner, business manager or business leader, we can fall into the trap of being so busy doing things that we notice in the moment and only focus on the thing that we feel needs to be done right now. When we fall into this pattern we become so busy doing 'stuff', that we don't take time to challenge ourselves with these very important questions:
How often do you hear people say 'I am just too busy for that' when you may be relating an idea that may just save them Time, Energy and Money?
It is all too common that we become distracted by focusing on what we are trying to achieve, as depicted in the cartoon sketch above, that we don't take time to listen to what someone else may be able to see as an easier or better way to complete the task at hand. How often do you stop to ask your staff for their ideas on how things could be done differently or improved?
As a business owner or business leader, it is important to STOP and take stock of what is happening around you, take time out to see the trees rather than the forest, as this is where you will find the little gold nuggets that will enable you to be more efficient, more productive, focus on the right things and be LESS BUSY.
In his book 'The Road Less Stupid', Keith Cunningham repeatedly emphasizes the importance of scheduling THINK TIME into your weekly plan. By scheduling Think Time into our weekly plans and specifically focusing on these questions; what can we do better, are we focusing on what is important, where can we save Time, Energy and Money, you will find that you will stop wasting time on the things that are not so important or can be delegated, for you as a Manager or Leader. The result is being LESS BUSY ...
When we focus on the Right Things in our daily plans and ask ourselves these questions continuously through out the day:
... we may just surprise ourselves how much Time Energy and Money we may save ourselves and our businesses, as asking these questions will enable us to focus on the Right Things and become Less Busy.
In Keith Cunningham's words ... 'Now go think, you will thank me for it later ...!'